What We Need to Hear

What do we need to hear?

Who do we need to hear it from?

How do we differentiate the boundaries in order to recognize truth from fiction, from within and from outside?

I think the first question to answer is, what am I willing to hear, & able to hear right now? Sometimes, we just aren’t ready to hear certain things, certain truths, from anybody or from specific people in our sphere. Sometimes, we just can’t.

Discovering who is in that sphere and why they are there, will begin to create the boundary of what we need to hear specifically from each of those people.

I believe that what you need to hear will become evident as you establish trusting relationships with the people on your team.

Random advice, blanket statements, and social media comments on your work are not necessary, thank you so much. These are based on truly nothing that has to do with you. Learn how to turn them off and tune out.

Continue to seek out the people that will challenge you, speak with you, and collaborate with you for you to be as ready as possible to pursue your goals and dreams.

Recognize that the more intimate the relationship, the more detailed the work can be. If you are in a trusting, working relationship with your teacher and coaches, these are the voices you need to listen to. These voices, if trustworthy, will continue to reflect you back to you, and continue to encourage you to claim your voice and listen to yourself. This will not be a one way conversation. The importance of truth has to be nurtured in a safe , respected and trusted space.

An audition, a master class, a one-and-done may glean some important information in the moment that you can integrate into what you are already needing to hear, or it might not be of use at all. That’s okay. Sometimes, what we need to hear isn’t coming from that source, but again, from our own instincts and ability to discern information.

This is why relationships take time to nurture and discover. Even with yourself.

Even if you aren’t ready to hear everything from the most important people on your team, (and none of us by the way!), knowing what those people are there to do is crucial as you learn what you need to hear from them.

Make a list of the important people on your team. Then beside each, list their expertise. Then, beside that expertise, list what that means to you and how it affects you. What does that relationship allow you to hear? What would you LIKE to hear? Is that truth, or dillusion? What is your contribution to that relationship in order to hear truths and create truths?

Discerning fact from fiction in any relationship and from any source that you find yourself in front of, is a crucial aspect of growth as an artist. That includes fact from fiction within ourselves. What are you listening to within yourself? Is it helping or hindering? Does it allow you to move forward or get stuck? Does it bring people into your sphere that are helpful or not?

Growth is uncomfortable sometimes. If we find ourselves resisting, why not ask why? Riddle it out and find out what you need to hear!

Lean into these moments. They have to so much to teach, and we begin to listen and hear exactly what we need to.

with fondness & fierceness,

Susan Eichhorn Young covers all things voice—strong and sophisticated singing and speaking. 

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